NIH FY 2021-2025 Sexual & Gender Minority Research

Strategic PlanKaren L. Parker, PhD, MSW

(Pronouns: She & Her)Director, Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office

Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives

May 15, 2020

AcknowledgementsSexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO)

ChristopherBarnhart PhD

(He, Him)

IreneAvila, PhD(She, Her)

RyanMahon, MSW(They, Them)

ShyamPatel

(He, Him)

Overview of Presentation• Background• Strategic Planning Process• NIH FY 2021—2025 SGM

Research Strategic Plan• Scientific Themes & Research

Opportunities• Operational Goal Areas• Management & Accountability

• Q&A

Background

NIH Definition of SGM“Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations include, but are not limited to, individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, Two-Spirit, queer, and/or intersex. Individuals with same-sex or -gender attractions or behaviors and those with a difference in sex development are also included. These populations also encompass those who do not self -identify with one of these terms but whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or reproductive development is characterized by non-binary constructs of sexual orientation, gender, and/or sex.”

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Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office(SGMRO) – What We Do

• Coordinate SGM health research activities across NIH• Represent NIH at conferences and events focused on SGM research• Serve as a resource for the extramural and NIH communities about SGM-

related research activities• Connect extramural researchers with key NIH contacts • Convene workshops to inform priority setting and research activities• Collaborate with NIH ICOs on the development of SGM health research reports• Manage information dissemination related to SGM research• Leverage resources and develop initiatives to support SGM health research

NIH SGM-Related Accomplishments

• Expansion of the SGMRO• Increase in number of SGM-related projects funded by the NIH • SGMs as a health disparity population for NIH research• SGM Health Research Regional Workshops• Scientific workshops • SGM Investigator Awards Program• SGMRO Administrative Supplements Program• Expansion of SGM data collection efforts at the NIH• Publication of SGM-specific NOSIs and FOAs

Strategic Plan Input

Strategic Plan Input• Targeted Stakeholders at NIH• Council of Councils SGM Research Working Group • NIH SGM Research Coordinating Committee • Public (RFI and Listening Session)• DPCPSI Leadership• Institute, Center, and Offices • NIH Leadership• Council of Councils

Strategic Plan Timeline

NIH FY 2021—2025 SGM Research Strategic Plan

Overview of the Strategic Plan

• Overarching Considerations• Scientific Themes & Research Opportunities• Operational Strategic Goal Areas• Management & Accountability

Overarching Considerations

• Intersectionality• Life Situations• Aging• SGM Subpopulations• Relevant Research Strategies

Scientific Themes & Research Opportunities

Scientific Theme 1Clinical Research

• Clinical trial recruitment• Biobank or repository of tissue samples• Outcomes related to various Differences in Sex Development (DSD) conditions/Intersex

• Sexual and reproductive care, reproductive aging, and pregnancy outcomes

Scientific Theme 2Social & Behavioral Research

• Health services research• Clinical education• Stigma and discrimination• Violence (includes sexual

assault, interpersonal violence, and other)

• Mental health• Suicide risk and prevention• Substance use• Coming out process • Social support/networks• Resilience

Scientific Theme 3Research in Chronic Diseases & Comorbidities

• Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias (ADRD)• Cancer • Diabetes• Heart disease• HIV/AIDS• Infectious diseases (STIs, HCV)• Obesity

Scientific Theme 4Methods & Measurement Research

•Development of novel measures and evaluation of existing measures

•Standardization of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), and intersex status questions

Operational Strategic Goal Areas

Operational Goal 1

• Develop scientific workshops to identify research opportunities• Encourage NIH Institute, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) to set SGM

health-specific and relevant research as a priority• Expand awareness of SGM-relevant research initiatives at the NIH• Increase grant support for SGM health-specific research

Advance rigorous research on the health of SGM populations in both the extramural and intramural research communities

Operational Goal 2

• Increase communications and training with ICOs and externalstakeholders

• Increase SGM expertise in NIH review panels and study sections• Encourage cultural competency training opportunities on the

specific characteristics of SGM health research to NIH-fundedextramural and intramural clinical trainees and researchers

Expand SGM health research by fostering partnerships and collaborations with a strategic array of internal and external stakeholders

Operational Goal 3• Develop resources and tools related to SGM health research for internal and

external stakeholders•• Develop a grant mechanism to support institutional training efforts

Conduct regional workshops focused on SGM health research

• Encourage recruitment and retention of SGM researchers in the biomedical workforce

• Collaborate with NIH training and workforce offices on SGM diversity issues to address the NIH Workplace Climate and Harassment Survey results concerning SGM populations to create a more welcoming environment

Foster a highly skilled and diverse workforce in SGM health research

Operational Goal 4

• Encourage expansion of SOGI data collection and subsequent analyses in health care and related settings through such mechanisms as surveys, national data sets, and administrative data collection

• Leverage existing data sets by engaging with ICOs and external organizations to collect SOGI data

• Enhance SOGI-related data resources and data sharing, ensuring data privacy and security

Encourage data collection related to SGM populations in research and the biomedical research workforce

Management & Accountability for the

Strategic Plan

• SGM Research Portfolio Analysis• SGMRO Annual Report• Mid-course review by the SGM Research Working Group• SGM health research listening sessions • Presentations on current SGM health research and

related developments at the NIH

Management & Accountability

Thank You!